Branded as Trouble (14 page)

As he filled his mouth with her taste, he rested his thumb in the arc of her throat where her heart raced. Stroking that sweet, sensitive section of skin in tiny circles, as if he had his hand on the sweet spot between her legs.

She twisted her mouth free. “Wow.”

“I saw more of you when we weren’t dating.”

“Does that mean you want to stop dating me?”

“Screw that.” Colt clamped his lips to hers again. He’d intended to seduce her with a sweeter kiss, but the heat between them expanded, burning hotter than his first attempt.

“Stop.”

“Why? Damn, I love the way you taste right here.” He placed his mouth beneath her ear and sucked.

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“Colt McKay. Stop right now or I’m going to punch you.”

That grabbed his attention. “What?”

“You’re giving me a hickey in a church.”

“So?”

“So you’re the one who wanted to take this slow. Yet, you’re mauling me at the first opportunity.”

“There haven’t been many opportunities. That’s why I’m takin’

advantage of it when I can.”

“Prove it.”

“Are you issuing a challenge?”

“Yep.” India gave him a look that’d melt ice. She undid the first two buttons on her blouse.

Whoa. Was she wearing a bra?

By the fourth button, his answer to the bra question was a definite
no
. Damn.

He managed to ask, “What are you doin’?”

“Giving you an opportunity.”

“For my balls to explode?”

She laughed. “Want me to keep going?”

Yes
. “How far would you go?”

“I would say all the way, but that’s not an option, is it?”

Hell yeah. No. Dammit. Say no.
Colt rubbed the underside of his jaw. “Nope.”

Up went the buttons. “You’re a cock tease, McKay.”

“Me?” he aped.

“Yes, you. Attacking me with all those hot kisses. Talking to me about your balls. I’m going home to take a cold shower.”

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“I’m coming with you.”

“We’ll both be coming if you and I are alone in a room with a bed after avoiding temptation for more than a week.”

“India. For shame. Dirty talkin’ me in a church. Maybe we’d better lock up before we get struck by lightning.”

“At least I’d feel that sizzle of electricity before I died.”

Outside, Colt led her to his truck. “I’ll give you a ride.”

“No, you won’t. Not even if I beg you to ride me all night long.”

“Lord, did you always have sex on the brain and I just never noticed?”

“Nope. You just bring out the beast in me.”

“That’s a plain mean thing to taunt a guy with who hasn’t had sex in the last three years.” He opened the truck door. “Get in.”

“I think it’d be better if I walked.”

“Like hell. You ain’t walkin’ alone at nine at night.”

“It’s Sundance. What can happen to me?”

“Nothin’ if you’re ridin’ in my truck, now get in.”

“Fine.” India stepped up on the running board and crawled across the bench seat.

Hoping to lighten her mood, he said, “I wish you were wearin’

a dress.”

“I wish you were wearing a condom.”

“Holy hell, India Blue Ellison, are you an ornery woman.”

“A
horny
woman.”

At the back of the building, Colt shut off the engine and looked at her. Her mood had changed in the two-minute drive, nothing new; 140

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India’s moods were as unpredictable as the Wyoming weather.

“Now what’s wrong?”

“I don’t know. Doesn’t this feel…weird? Last week, I had a great time with you. I see you tonight at the meeting, expecting it to be the same. But it’s different. Then Bert is trying to set us up on a date…”

He watched her fingers pinch the seam on the seat cover.

“And you don’t even tell him we are dating,” she finished in a rush.

Colt snatched her restless hand. “Is that what’s bothering you?

That we didn’t come out and tell anyone at A.A. that everything has changed between us?”

“Maybe. Look, I know it’s stupid.”

“It’s not stupid if you’re upset. C’mere.” He tugged her until she was practically in his lap. “I feel I’ve done something wrong. So I’ll do anything to fix it.”

“Like what?”

“I’m open to suggestions.”

India swung her leg over his until they were matched groin-to-groin and chest-to-chest. “Okay. Let’s mess around.”

“That’s a good idea.”

She laughed. Then she kissed him. Her hands clutching his hair, her crotch grinding on his, her nipples rubbing with enough friction he swore her piercings scratched his chest through their clothing.

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destroyed his resolve to maintain a cool head, especially when the head in his Wranglers burned hot as a branding iron.

India’s lips followed the slope of his jaw to his ear. “So strong.

So smooth. Did you shave just for me?”

“Uh-huh.”

“Mmm. You smell good too.” She nuzzled his neck. “You know my favorite thing about you wearing aftershave?”

“Ah. No. I don’t.”

“Anticipating how it’ll smell on my skin. After you’ve rubbed your face and mouth all over my chest. And my neck.”

His cock twitched. Her little chuckle meant she knew it. Felt it.

Sassy wench.

“Unbutton my blouse, Colt.”

Good thing he was dexterous. All her rubbing and nuzzling could’ve distracted a lesser man.

Once her shirt was undone, she leaned back until her spine met the steering wheel. “If I ask nice, will you put your mouth on me?”

“Is that what you want, Indy?”

“Yes. God yes. Ever since that morning you sucked my nipples, I’ve been dying to feel your lips and tongue on them again.”

Colt growled. He yanked the shirt open and jerked it down, immobilizing her arms.

Her complaint of, “Hey!” was lost the second his mouth enclosed the bared tip.

Her skin was so warm and silky under his callused hands.

While he suckled the right nipple, the fingertips of his left hand 142

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stroked the underswell of her left breast. He’d always been a fan of big tits, but this handful of perfection was more than enough to satisfy him.

He slowly freed her nipple, tugging on the ring with his teeth, and watching her shadowed face to gauge her reaction.

“Colt.”

“You’re right, my aftershave does smell good on you.” Colt rubbed his cheek and jaw across her chest, and used his chin to separate her cleavage, kissing the inside of each breast. “Kinda makes me wonder where else it’d smell good.” He rained kisses, brushing his smoothly-shaven cheek over her arched neck. “Mmm.

Here’s another good spot.”

India groaned. A shiver rippled through her.

“I’m bettin’ the best place is that tender spot right between your thighs. Am I right?”

“Yes. You’re welcome to test it out.”

He trilled his lips to her left nipple. “I wish I hadn’t shaved. I’d like you to feel my whiskers on your delicate skin as I’m markin’

you with my scent.”

“Please. I-I—”

Colt’s tongue toyed with the nipple ring. He licked circles around her areola just to watch it pucker into a tight point. “Tell me what you want.”

“To get off with you. Like this, fully clothed. With your mouth sucking my nipples as I’m rocking on you.”

“It’d be the second time you’ve made me come in my pants.”

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“Then next time you can come in my hand. Or in my mouth. Or in my pussy. But damn you, Colt, I’m so wet and—”

He slammed his lips to hers to shut her up. Jesus. If she continued that tempting talk he’d come without her touching any part of his body. Keeping hold of her shoulders, he angled his pelvis so all their good parts rubbed together.

She arched in complete abandon. “Yes.”

“Where do you want my mouth? Here?” Colt scraped his teeth down her neck. “Or here?” He latched onto her right nipple.

“There. Oh. Damn. Can I move my hips faster without smashing your cock?”

“Move as fast as you want. The faster, the better.”

“Thank God.”

The air in the cab seemed to increase by a thousand degrees.

Heavy breathing distorted the stillness and steamed up the windows.

Perspiration coated her skin as he feasted on her. When he felt her thighs tighten, and heard her soft gasp, he bit down on the captive nipple.

India came in a bucking, noisy explosion of heat and sound that sent Colt straight over the edge.

It’d taken him longer than a minute, but not by much.

She slumped forward, burying her face in his neck. “If you don’t want to drive home in those sticky jeans, you’re welcome to come in and take them off.”

He laughed softly. “Generous of you.”

“I thought so.”

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Colt pulled her sleeves back up, freeing her arms. He fed her a long, deep, wet kiss while he buttoned her shirt.

Looking as dazed as he was, he traced the outline of her bottom lip, while he stared into her eyes. When her saucy tongue darted out to lick the callused pad, his hand fell away.

She smirked.

“I know that look. You still think you can convince me to give in to your hot sexy body before the two weeks is up.”

“I’m an optimist.” She bestowed a smacking kiss square on his mouth. “See you tomorrow night at the basketball game.”

India arrived at the high school parking lot to find it jam-packed. Inside, she saw Bert pointing to the empty space beside him in the front row of the bleachers.

“Thanks for saving me a spot,” she said, squeezing the gnarled hand resting on his cane. “I had a late client. It hasn’t started, has it?”

“Not yet.”

India scanned the teams on opposite sides of the court. Her gaze zeroed in on the tall, dark-haired man, wearing an electric blue tank top and shorts. Talk about muscular legs. And arms. And chest.

How much weight had he been lifting with Cam?

Colt sensed her gawking at him. He trotted over, the warmth in his eyes made her tingly all over. “Glad you made it.”

Concentrate on his eyes and not his nearly nude body.

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He grinned as if he’d read her thoughts.

The whistle blew and he scrambled toward his teammates.

India muttered, “I am in
way
over my head.”

“He is too, if it’s any consolation.”

She faced Bert. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

Bert clutched her hand on his cane. “I like you, India. That’s why I sent Colt to you in the first place. He wouldn’t open up to me the way he has with you. You were good for him.”

“
Were
?”

“Ladies and gentlemen, let’s get this event started!”

India half-listened to the opening remarks of the MC. After a precocious nine-year old girl warbled “The Star-Spangled Banner”

they sat down. She tried to watch the action unfold, but ignoring Bert’s curious stare proved impossible. “What?”

“As awkward as this might be, I’m recommending you terminate your role as Colt’s sponsor.”

“What?”

“Hear me out before your wicked glare singes what little hair I have left.”

“Does he know you’re doing this?”

“Yes, it was my idea after he called and told me you two were dating.”

So Colt had listened to her concerns last night.

Why are you surprised? Colt always listens to you.

“You’re important to the program, India. But you’re also important to him.”

She didn’t know what to say.

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“It’d be easier all around. You’ve been so busy taking care of others I’m worried you’re not taking care of yourself.”

“I’m fine, Bert.”

“We’ve all said that, India. We’ve all been there, thinking we’re ‘cured’ and trying to hide the difficulties from our peers. No one ever is cured. You remember that. And if it gets to the point you need help…my door and my ears are always open to you.”

“Thanks.”

Bert slammed his cane into the floor and pointed. “Hey! Will you look at that? Number thirty-six fouled him!”

She shifted her attention to the court.

The match was a charity event and the men were supposed to be playing for fun, but the taunts and cheap shots screamed the aggressive nature of the game. Colt was out there in the thick of it, sweating, grappling for the ball. His competitive streak had him jabbing his elbow in his opponent’s ribs whenever the ref wasn’t watching.

During a lull in the game, India studied the local people filling the bleachers. Kids munched popcorn and sipped soft drinks from red wax cups. Mothers bounced babies, holding conversations with other mothers who did the same. Men, young and old, shouted approval or dismay at the official’s calls while teenagers ducked under the risers to steal a kiss away from prying parental eyes.

Odd, she didn’t see any of Colt’s family members in the stands.

Why weren’t they here rooting for him?

The third quarter ended. A pregnant woman waddled toward one of Colt’s teammates. The man’s face clouded with concern as www.samhainpublishing.com 147

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he stroked her distended belly. Then he brushed her curls from her face and watched her holding the small of her back as she disappeared out the side door.

What would it be like to have a man look at her as if she hung the moon and stars? To have her belly round with his child? A burst of intense longing filled her.

“That’s Dr. Brewer and his wife, Susie,” Bert commented.

“Nice couple. They just moved back to Wyoming last year. He’s a veterinarian and she teaches at the reservation.”